Specimen Requirements

1. Nasal secretion is most easily and readily collected by having patient blow nose on a waxed paper or cellophane handkerchief. If no secretion is available from blowing nose, remove secretions by swabbing with a cotton applicator.

2. Immediately after collection, spread a thin layer of cells on a clean, glass microscope slide by rolling swab across non-frosted end of slide. (The frosted end of slide should face up.) Send 2 slides.

3. Allow slides to air dry, and transport in a plastic slide container.

4. Label frosted end of slides in pencil with patient’s name, date, specimen source, and time of collection.

5. Maintain sterility and forward promptly at ambient temperature only.

Alternative preparation:

Remove nasal secretions with a culturette and deliver promptly to lab.